Looking at the images of these young
faces brings an indescribable grief that begs denial but
no, its real and they are gone.

When I realize the overwhelming
heartbreak and sadness caused by wars that in too many
cases, have been authorized out of greed and passion for
game (especially the Iraq war waged by Cheney/Bush
administration --we all know Cheney was the one in
charge-- a war that had been a dream of the
neoconservatives long before that dreadful day occurred),
I feel the regret that a persistant open-minded inquiry
of WHY was not of uppermost concern to every citizen when
the question of going to war with Iraq (and also, I
believe, Afghanistan) had materialized with so many false
assertions.

These two wars (Afghanistan and Iraq)
had culminated from the shock of 9/11, which eliminated
collective objectivity, an occurrence that happens after
a tremendous shock (or confusion).

The picture of these five service
members losing their life in a trumped up war, is more
than sad, its abominable.thinkingblue

Families of fallen troops are being denied military death
benefits because of the government shutdown.

Over the weekend, the relatives of at least five U.S.
military members received the heartbreaking news that
their loved ones had died protecting their country while
on duty in Afghanistan.

Within three days, the government was supposed to have
fulfilled its promise to give $100,000 to these grieving
families -- a "death gratuity" that is supposed
to help cover funeral costs, as well as immediate living
expenses until survivor benefits kick in. According to
USA Today, the money is also supposed to cover family
travel expenses so that they're able to meet their loved
ones returning home for burial in flag-draped coffins at
Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Unfortunately, the government has been unable to fulfill
this promise because of the shutdown, leaving the
families high and dry during this vulnerable time.

In a media release Tuesday, the Pentagon confirmed that
it has suspended death benefits to families of fallen
troops.

"The [Defense Department] does not currently have
the authority to pay death gratuities for the survivors
of service members killed in action," the release
said, adding: Secretary [of Defense Chuck] Hagel
assured the service leaders that he would work closely
with them to address these challenges, and support the
service members and families impacted by these
disruptions."